Report: Gov. Nixon proposing more for children's agency

Wednesday

Jan 15, 2014 at 7:04 PM

Gov. Jay Nixon is expected to propose a $6 million increase for the agency overseeing Missouri's foster care system.

Associated Press

Gov. Jay Nixon is expected to propose a $6 million increase for the agency overseeing Missouri's foster care system.The Springfield News-Leader reported Wednesday that it obtained a document from Children's Division Director Tim Decker saying Nixon will propose "significant resources" for the division in his 2015 budget.The document cites a proposal for $1 million to hire 23 investigators and case workers for the division, $1.5 million for computer upgrades and $2.3 million for staff to advance in their pay scales. More than $1 million also would go toward a combination of training and loan forgiveness programs to prevent staff turnover.The News-Leader and The Kansas City Star both have reported that some Children's Division offices have been plagued by high staff turnover.